Massachusetts emergency crews trained in keeping cell phone towers and other critical communications and safety infrastructure operable during extreme weather events are planning to leave for North Carolina when they get the call to assist in Hurricane Florence response efforts.
“The adrenaline pushes you through and the fact that you’re helping something or somebody just puts it over the top,” said Michael Molway, owner of FM Generators.
The Canton-based crew is packing vehicles and getting equipment ready. Crews will be prepared to assist in power maintenance efforts in North Carolina and any other state affected by the massive hurricane.
“The adrenaline pushes you through and the fact that you’re helping something or somebody just puts it over the top,” said Chris Marks, FM generators operations manager.
They have the capacity to bring down half a dozen generators and over two dozen employees if needed.
“We have residential customers and commercial customers: food stores, prisons, healthcare facilities, schools, and evacuation centers-will service anybody or help anybody who needs help,” said Molway.
FM distributes, installs and services generators throughout the East Coast. The company specializes in keeping generators functioning when primary power systems fail due to weather-related and non weather-related disasters.
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FM received a letter of commendation from President George W. Bush for the company’s assistance in power maintenance during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. They responded to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the Massachusetts Connecticut River Valley tornadoes in 2011. and many other extreme weather events.
The company also assisted in restoring power to the New York Stock Exchange in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
”There is occasionally still dangerous situations out there. You got trees leaning on poles and you don’t know when they are gonna come down,” said Marks.
